News Broadcasting
Times poaches NDTV promo head for its news channel
MUMBAI: Things are hotting up in the news channel wars. The Times of India Group, which plans to start beaming a business and news channel by the first half of next year, has picked NDTV’s senior editor (Promos) Proshanto Das as its head of on-air promos from NDTV.
Das will assume office as Times’ head of on air promos this week. He has won several awards for his work and has earlier worked with TV18, and developed television software for most leading channels.
According to sources, Das will join in Mumbai as part of the content team for the business and news channel. The channel has not been named yet, and is part of the ambitious television initiative of Bennet Coleman and Company Limited.
According to the the Times of India Group president Arun Arora, “As the country’s largest and most credible media group, we will naturally attract the best talent from the market. Our lineage in news and the history of the Times Group is probably the reason why the cream of the crop in the news broadcasting industry want to get on board.”
In the next few weeks, some other top slots in the business and news channel are likely to be filled. But the group is extremely reluctant to give more details out.
“We want to create an extremely driven and young team for this channel. Some of the best professionals want to join us, which is itself a huge compliment,” said Arnab Goswami, vice president – news and editor of the yet to be launched channel.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
